Aspectual Distinctions in Spanish: a Case Study of Transfer in Second-Language Learners
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[1] California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
Estados Unidos
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- Localización: Perspectives in the Study of Spanish Language Variation: Papers in Honor of Carmen Silva-Corvalán / coord. por Andrés Enrique Arias, Manuel J. Gutiérrez, María Alazne Landa Arevalillo, Francisco A. Ocampo, 2014, págs. 497-514
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Languages that are typologically similar may show positive transfer effects but, conversely, negative transfer effects can be expected in areas in which the two languages differ (Odlin 1989: 26). However, the situation may not be so clear in areas that are only partially similar in the native and target language. This study looks into the acquisition of one of these types of constructions in Spanish and English compared to structures in which the two languages differ. The particular focus is on the acquisition of two Spanish grammatical structures by intermediate and advanced English-speaking learners: the progressive constructions and preterit-imperfect distinction. The first of these structures is similar in form in both languages and partially similar, but not identical, in conditions of use. On the other hand, the preterit-perfective distinction constitutes an area of difference between Spanish and English since in Spanish the [±perfective] distinction is manifested with overt tense morphology.
